01/15/2012

Busting the Newbie Blues Event

Today I am excited to participate in an event hosted by my friend Small, from Small Review. This is a chance for new and old blogs to share some experiences and hopefully make some new blogger friends. Anyone can join in the fun. Click on the banner and head over to Small Review for the details. To participate just answer the questions and post them on your blog and add your link to the list on Small’s blog. Then visit other bloggers and compare your answers. Most important have fun!

Here are my answers:

1. When did you start your blog?

I started my blog in September, but I didn’t have my official debut until November. I signed up on a waiting list of a blog designer. Supposedly, her wait was approximately one month. After waiting anxiously for over two months, I sent a follow up email to inquire as to when she might get around to designing my blog. Sadly, I never received a response of any kind. At first, I was frustrated! Then, thanks to a friend, I was referred to a designer, who ended up doing my blog. She was fast and affordable and very inexpensive. I had my blog designed and ready for the public within two weeks. The good thing about the experience is while I waited for the design, I continued to research and write reviews. By the time my blog debuted I had a wealth of knowledge on blogs and a stash of reviews tucked away. It is always good to have extra reviews on hand. The other great thing about the situation was, I had planned on spending about $200 to have the blog designed (yeah I know expensive). I ended up spending a fraction of that. So, in the end it was a win win situation for me and I loved the way my blog turned out.

2. Why did I start my blog?

After joining Goodreads and hanging around for a few months, I noticed a couple of things. Many of my new friends had blogs. I started checking out blogs and thought it was a fun way to share my love of books with others. Second, like many bloggers, I was sucked in the by the lure of possibly having access to the ever coveted, ARC’s (Advanced Reader Copies) all I can say is be careful what you wish for, I find myself committed to reading many titles and my TBR (to be read pile) is ever growing, often times I am unable to read the books I am dying to read due to prior commitments.

3. What has been the biggest challenge you have faced so far?

I will have to refer back to my answer in question 1. The non response of a designer, who left me hanging for two months without sending an email saying no, I can’t design your blog.

4. What did you find most discouraging about being a new blogger?

I found it a little discouraging at first getting accepted into the “blogging club”. Most bloggers are friendly and willing to help out but unfortunately I ran into a few, who didn’t bother to respond to my emails. Best advice I can give to anyone thinking of blogging, is take time to answer all your emails! Yes, I know they are time consuming but you have to remember your followers helped your blog become successful, don’t ever get to the point where you think you don't have time to answer comments or emails!

5. What do you find most encouraging?

Once I got my feet on the ground and found my way around, I have had the pleasure of making so many new blogger friends. That is the best part of blogging, the interaction with the blogging community and your readers. So, don’t be shy. Visit some blogs, leave some comments get to know your fellow bloggers.

6. What do you like best about the blogs you read? Have you tried to replicate this in your own blog?

Aside from the friendly interaction, I like seeing other blogger’s takes on the same books that I have read. It is especially interesting sometimes to read differentiating opinions. I also enjoy discovering new books that are reviewed on my friend’s blogs that I hadn’t heard of prior to reading their review. As far as replicating things onto my own blog, for the most part, I haven’t. I am trying to keep my blog pretty original. I have come up with a couple of my own features and I am looking forward to running them regularly. The one feature that I do see many blogs do, that I am going to run, is feature the upcoming titles for the following week. I love reading about all the great books that are on the horizon.

7. What do you dislike about blogs you’ve read? Do you try to avoid this?

There are few things I have seen that I am not a fan of on other blogs. One is blogs that are so cluttered that it is hard to find anything. I have recently helped a couple of authors organize tours. I can’t tell you how many times I visited a blog looking for contact information and was unable to find it. If you want readers and authors/publishers to contact you, then you must have a visible email address! The best way to do this, is have an email button displayed somewhere on your blog, where it is easy to find. I would recommend having a set of buttons on the top right, one for email, twitter, FB, GR, Feeds Burners,representative of any way that people can follow and find you. Also, have your email listed under your about me section. Another thing that I have run across is people copying someone’s meme. If you try and copy a big blog’s regular meme, people are going to write you off. Be creative and original in your ideas or participate in the meme you are trying to mirror, instead of copying it.

8. Any advice for other new bloggers?

Make sure you do your research before jumping into the blogging world. Take your time to build and create an attractive blog, don’t just slap something together. Prepare for the amount of time and commitment it takes to run a successful blog. I would suggest practicing writing reviews and posting them on Goodreads before starting your blog. Also, take the time to network and make plenty of contacts it will be extremely helpful and beneficial to you down the line. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most bloggers are willing to answer your emails if you need help. If they don’t bother to respond then move along, there are plenty of other friendly bloggers out there who will offer advice. When your blog takes off, don’t forget to turn around and help the newcomers.

9. Any questions you would like to ask newbie or established blogger?

I would like to ask an established blogger how much time goes into their blog on a weekly basis. I would estimate on my end the reading, writing and posting probably takes at least 15-20 hours a week. For a newbie, are you prepared to make that type of commitment?

10. Is there anything you would like to tell us about your blog?

My blog just recently kicked off a new feature that I am really excited about. My feature is called, Bargain Book Bin, I purchase (or in many cases receive from authors) ebooks that fall into the bargain price range of $.99-$2.99. I review and highlight these books, hoping to find some great reads for a steal. There are plenty out there! I don’t review any of the free books for this feature because most of the time the price does not remain free. I think this is a fun way to allow readers to participate, since often times bloggers are reviewing books that are ARC and not readily available to everyone. I am trying to incorporate this feature on a weekly basis on my blog. If you want to participate, contact me and I will be happy to post links to your bargain reviews on my next feature.

Okay folks, that’s it! Hope you learned something from my answers. I will be visiting other blogs to see their answers. There is plenty of time to join in, Small Review, is hosting the event for the entire month of January. Please feel free to leave me a comment and your link and I will be glad to visit your blog and get to know you!

Comments

Busting the Newbie Blues Event

Today I am excited to participate in an event hosted by my friend Small, from Small Review. This is a chance for new and old blogs to share some experiences and hopefully make some new blogger friends. Anyone can join in the fun. Click on the banner and head over to Small Review for the details. To participate just answer the questions and post them on your blog and add your link to the list on Small’s blog. Then visit other bloggers and compare your answers. Most important have fun!

Here are my answers:

1. When did you start your blog?

I started my blog in September, but I didn’t have my official debut until November. I signed up on a waiting list of a blog designer. Supposedly, her wait was approximately one month. After waiting anxiously for over two months, I sent a follow up email to inquire as to when she might get around to designing my blog. Sadly, I never received a response of any kind. At first, I was frustrated! Then, thanks to a friend, I was referred to a designer, who ended up doing my blog. She was fast and affordable and very inexpensive. I had my blog designed and ready for the public within two weeks. The good thing about the experience is while I waited for the design, I continued to research and write reviews. By the time my blog debuted I had a wealth of knowledge on blogs and a stash of reviews tucked away. It is always good to have extra reviews on hand. The other great thing about the situation was, I had planned on spending about $200 to have the blog designed (yeah I know expensive). I ended up spending a fraction of that. So, in the end it was a win win situation for me and I loved the way my blog turned out.

2. Why did I start my blog?

After joining Goodreads and hanging around for a few months, I noticed a couple of things. Many of my new friends had blogs. I started checking out blogs and thought it was a fun way to share my love of books with others. Second, like many bloggers, I was sucked in the by the lure of possibly having access to the ever coveted, ARC’s (Advanced Reader Copies) all I can say is be careful what you wish for, I find myself committed to reading many titles and my TBR (to be read pile) is ever growing, often times I am unable to read the books I am dying to read due to prior commitments.

3. What has been the biggest challenge you have faced so far?

I will have to refer back to my answer in question 1. The non response of a designer, who left me hanging for two months without sending an email saying no, I can’t design your blog.

4. What did you find most discouraging about being a new blogger?

I found it a little discouraging at first getting accepted into the “blogging club”. Most bloggers are friendly and willing to help out but unfortunately I ran into a few, who didn’t bother to respond to my emails. Best advice I can give to anyone thinking of blogging, is take time to answer all your emails! Yes, I know they are time consuming but you have to remember your followers helped your blog become successful, don’t ever get to the point where you think you don't have time to answer comments or emails!

5. What do you find most encouraging?

Once I got my feet on the ground and found my way around, I have had the pleasure of making so many new blogger friends. That is the best part of blogging, the interaction with the blogging community and your readers. So, don’t be shy. Visit some blogs, leave some comments get to know your fellow bloggers.

6. What do you like best about the blogs you read? Have you tried to replicate this in your own blog?

Aside from the friendly interaction, I like seeing other blogger’s takes on the same books that I have read. It is especially interesting sometimes to read differentiating opinions. I also enjoy discovering new books that are reviewed on my friend’s blogs that I hadn’t heard of prior to reading their review. As far as replicating things onto my own blog, for the most part, I haven’t. I am trying to keep my blog pretty original. I have come up with a couple of my own features and I am looking forward to running them regularly. The one feature that I do see many blogs do, that I am going to run, is feature the upcoming titles for the following week. I love reading about all the great books that are on the horizon.

7. What do you dislike about blogs you’ve read? Do you try to avoid this?

There are few things I have seen that I am not a fan of on other blogs. One is blogs that are so cluttered that it is hard to find anything. I have recently helped a couple of authors organize tours. I can’t tell you how many times I visited a blog looking for contact information and was unable to find it. If you want readers and authors/publishers to contact you, then you must have a visible email address! The best way to do this, is have an email button displayed somewhere on your blog, where it is easy to find. I would recommend having a set of buttons on the top right, one for email, twitter, FB, GR, Feeds Burners,representative of any way that people can follow and find you. Also, have your email listed under your about me section. Another thing that I have run across is people copying someone’s meme. If you try and copy a big blog’s regular meme, people are going to write you off. Be creative and original in your ideas or participate in the meme you are trying to mirror, instead of copying it.

8. Any advice for other new bloggers?

Make sure you do your research before jumping into the blogging world. Take your time to build and create an attractive blog, don’t just slap something together. Prepare for the amount of time and commitment it takes to run a successful blog. I would suggest practicing writing reviews and posting them on Goodreads before starting your blog. Also, take the time to network and make plenty of contacts it will be extremely helpful and beneficial to you down the line. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most bloggers are willing to answer your emails if you need help. If they don’t bother to respond then move along, there are plenty of other friendly bloggers out there who will offer advice. When your blog takes off, don’t forget to turn around and help the newcomers.

9. Any questions you would like to ask newbie or established blogger?

I would like to ask an established blogger how much time goes into their blog on a weekly basis. I would estimate on my end the reading, writing and posting probably takes at least 15-20 hours a week. For a newbie, are you prepared to make that type of commitment?

10. Is there anything you would like to tell us about your blog?

My blog just recently kicked off a new feature that I am really excited about. My feature is called, Bargain Book Bin, I purchase (or in many cases receive from authors) ebooks that fall into the bargain price range of $.99-$2.99. I review and highlight these books, hoping to find some great reads for a steal. There are plenty out there! I don’t review any of the free books for this feature because most of the time the price does not remain free. I think this is a fun way to allow readers to participate, since often times bloggers are reviewing books that are ARC and not readily available to everyone. I am trying to incorporate this feature on a weekly basis on my blog. If you want to participate, contact me and I will be happy to post links to your bargain reviews on my next feature.

Okay folks, that’s it! Hope you learned something from my answers. I will be visiting other blogs to see their answers. There is plenty of time to join in, Small Review, is hosting the event for the entire month of January. Please feel free to leave me a comment and your link and I will be glad to visit your blog and get to know you!